Saturday, March 14, 2009

March 7th, 2009Congratulations to CIC student Joe Branton, who brought home the Peoples' Choice Award from the Almost Famous Chef Competition! It was held by Nestles Waters at the Napa Valley branch of the Culinary Institute of America.

In February, Branton won the the Southeastern Regional division competition, which made him eligible to go to the finals. Keeping it true to home, Joe had created a dish of Pork Two Ways with Carolina Gold Risotto and Brussels Sprouts.

Culinary Department Head Michael Carmel and Chef Instructor Scott Stefanelli accompanied Branton to the competition. Thanks to Chef Stefanelli for the pictures above.

What We're Reading

"On Vegetables: Modern Recipes for the Home Kitchen"

A highly regarded Cali chef, vegetable whisperer Jeremy Fox has written a cookbook that delivers 85 vegetarian recipes, both sweet and savory, plus an additional foundation of 75 larder recipes. His combinations may surprise, such as the dish of figs, celery, almonds, and pickled grapes. You may want to wait for fall to make carrot juice cavatelli, tops salsa, & spiced pulp crumble. Just in time for the onset of sultry summer evenings and the peak of the local tomato season, Fox offers a “tomato raw bar.” Published by Phaidon.